New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.
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February 21, 2006 | #16 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NJ Bayshore
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I'm sitting here @ my desk with my ruler, and with 24 inchers I'm going to need a much bigger garden lol ! I'm going to have to see what "fits" in regards to the space that I have ... 24 would be nice though ~ Tom
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
February 21, 2006 | #17 |
Tomatovillian™
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John ~
you read my mind ... :wink: ~ Tom
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
February 21, 2006 | #18 |
Tomatovillian™
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has anyone else had success with smaller than 24 inch home made cages ? ~ Tom
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
February 22, 2006 | #19 |
Tomatovillian™
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didnt have a chance to measure the mesh - but it looks like I wont be able to do 24" ~ not unless I bring in the bulldozer !!! lol - Tom
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
February 22, 2006 | #20 |
Tomatovillian™
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Pi xDiameter= 3.1416 x 22= approx 69"=5ft 9 inches
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Jim |
February 23, 2006 | #21 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NJ - 6/7
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You could cut a 5' cage in half (any dia.) and have two extentions. Cut side down, with a 5' cage on top, fastened with ty-wire would give you a couple more ft.
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February 23, 2006 | #22 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NJ Bayshore
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geol ~
I think I'm getting the picture ... That would give me more height not width right ? Because I'm thinking 24 inches is way to wide for my garden ~ more like 18 would be suitable (for what I have, not for what I REALLY want :wink: ) ~ Tom
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
February 23, 2006 | #23 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NJ - 6/7
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5' stock will make 19" dia. cages any ht. you choose. At 7' you could get 7 from a 50 ft roll.
That same 7 ft piece if rolled the other way, would make a 26" dia. cage, but would only be 5' tall. What I was saying was, If you had three 26" dia. cages (5' tall), cutting one in half, and using the pieces to extend the other two, would yield two-26" dia. cages 7.5 ft. tall. |
February 23, 2006 | #24 |
Tomatovillian™
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jtcm05 -
I hear you on that - I just read an article last night that said you get much higher yields from caging, compared to staking ~ I'm assuming due to the "prunning factor" ... Having a taller cage is almost like having a big stake right ? and would require you to prune ... Huh ... this may get tricky - or may need some experimentation for 2006 ~ Tom
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
February 23, 2006 | #25 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NJ - 6/7
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.I use both stakes and cages. New stakes go to the bigger tomatos- as the bottoms rot off, I'll use them for smaller varieties. When they get too short, I use them to support the one or two cages that need some extra help.In addition, for the ones in cages I will tie up a few stragling branches here or there. As none of my cages are more than 5 ft., (I like stakes for the big ones) if a plant does outgrow it's cage, it's an indivdual judgement call. I might add a stake, prune it back, or just let it flop over. Sometimes not very neat in appearance, but seems to meet the needs of individual plants. Hope this gives you some ideas.
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February 23, 2006 | #26 |
Tomatovillian™
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yes I agree with the above - I did use the $.70 tomato cages from the garden center so I HAD to use exterior staking to keep heavy toms off the ground ... this year should be interesting ~ but I also agree with the 5ft tall min. ~ need to figure out diameter ~ Tom
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
February 23, 2006 | #27 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NJ - 6/7
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"but I also agree with the 5ft tall min. ~ need to figure out diameter ~ Tom"
Not sure what your asking? |
February 23, 2006 | #28 |
Tomatovillian™
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re geol : not sure what you are asking?
geol, I have to get into my garden this weekend and take some measurements to see what diameter I can get away with ~ Tom
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
February 23, 2006 | #29 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NJ - 6/7
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Tom, what type tomato? Varieties differ slightly. But you can get by with a wide range, as it is not critical to be exact.
I wasn't sure what you mean by 5' min.? I have some 3' cages that are perfect for a short bushy beefsteak type I grow that just needs a little help keeping it's fruit up. |
February 23, 2006 | #30 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NJ Bayshore
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geol -
Thats a great question: I know I'll be able to get by with the older cages (or smaller homemade cages) for the GDC, Silvery Fir Tree, and MAYBE Opalka ~ NAR, Mortgage Lifter, Kelloggs, Thessaloniki , and my Yellow (to name some of the "chosen", lol), I'm certain they'll be getting the big ol brandy new ones ~ last year was too much of a jungle . This was 2 1/2 months into the season with those $0.70 garden center cheapies !!! I need them to go up ; rather than out ~ Tom |
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